DOCTOR'S ORDERSWorldNetDaily Exclusive

Hey, give us exemption from Obamacare, too!

University argues special treatment for favorites 'fundamentally unfair'

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially.

The special exemptions the government has granted several dozen companies from the requirements of Obamacare are “fundamentally unfair” to others who will be forced to comply with its expensive provisions, contend officials representing Liberty University.

According to the Boston Globe, the exemptions were sought by a long list of companies, including McDonald’s, that provide “mini-med” coverage for minimum-wage and part-time workers.

The report said Cigna Corp., a health insurer from Philadelphia, also asked for a waiver from Obamacare requirements, for its “limited-benefit” customers.

The Obama administration very quietly now has exempted nearly 30 organizations from the rules the companies claimed they couldn’t afford, including a key teachers union that has supported him.

Officials in Washington describe the exemptions as a temporary process before full application of rules that will demand people buy government-approved health insurance or pay massive fines.

Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh described the move as a series of “pardons.”

The conflict arose because plans, such as that provided by McDonald’s, reached a maximum benefit of $2,000 per year. That type of plan is banned by Obamacare.

But Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., which has thousands of people covered by health insurance and has brought a legal challenge to the plan, said the special treatment was out of line.

“President Obama’s administration has temporarily exempted the United Federation of Teachers, a key political backer of President Obama, from certain provisions of the health-care law,” said a statement from Liberty Counsel, which is handling the case.

“In all, 29 firms received a temporary exemption, including McDonald’s and Jack in the Box. These temporary exemptions relieve these firms from new health-care standards that are being imposed on countless other companies around the nation. The fact that these waivers needed to be issued in the first place is an admission by the federal government that the health-care legislation from Congress and the president has a negative effect on businesses in this country.”

The statement continued, “Liberty Counsel represents Liberty University and several individuals in a lawsuit challenging the law that was filed on the same day that the law was signed by President Obama. A hearing on the case is set for October 22 before federal district Judge Norman Moon in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“Liberty University, the world’s largest Christian university, has not been given an exemption from the health-care law. It is fundamentally unfair that Liberty University will be excluded from any kind of exemption while a select group of companies will receive special treatment. The temporary exemption was given because the Obama administration knew the burdensome impact that would have been placed upon these companies on the eve of the November election.”

Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, noted, “The Obama health-care law is bad for business and the economy. The health-care law is the most expansive invasion of personal liberty since the New Deal. I am confident that Congress lacks the authority to mandate the purchase of health insurance. It is only a matter of time before this law is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

There are other legal challenges to Obamacare, too, including one by nearly 20 states and another in Michigan on behalf of four residents who claim they will be hurt by being required to buy health insurance.

The effort is led by U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, whosedischarge petition would call for a new House vote on the proposal.

It needs 218 signatures of House members, and since that constitutes a majority in the 435-member House, the goal of the discharge petition likely would be accomplished, he has explained. The effort now has 173 signatures, only a few dozen short of the number required.

In a related effort, more than 44,000 voices from across America are offering their encouragement to members of the House who have yet to sign the discharge petition offered by King.

Whereas, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, approved by a narrow vote of the House of Representatives earlier this year, threatens to transform the U.S. health-care system from its roots in free enterprise and personal choice;

Whereas, the act is unconstitutional because of its unprecedented requirement that Americans purchase a service;

Whereas, the system the law would create is financially unsustainable, places personal medical decisions in the hands of bureaucrats and is likely to lead to rationing of health-care options;

Whereas, the act is likely to result in forcing some 87 million Americans to drop their current health-care coverage;

Whereas, the costs involved in complying with the law are likely to cost more Americans their jobs, inhibit the creation of new employment opportunities and suppress wages …

The petition drive was launched by Joseph Farah, founder and CEO of WorldNetDaily, who said the results are worthy of note already.

“This is a very impressive petition, but it will be much more impressive at 100,000 or 200,000 or 1 million,” he said. “We need people signing and spreading the news about this effort – news that has not been reported anywhere else expect at WND.”